Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Where
is Ladakh? My answer would be - Ladakh is where the Paradise on Earth is. But still,
this doesn't answer the question “where is Ladakh” completely. Ladakh, the land
of stark beauty, finds its home nestled between the highest mountain ranges inthe world, the Himalayas and the Karakoram. One has to come here to experience its
wholeness; words merely try their best to match up to its unparalleled beauty.
The strategic geographic location of Ladakh has attracted adventure seekers,
spiritualists, nature lovers and explorers to it always. While some come here
for finding the answers to their curious souls in the peaceful monasteries of Ladakh, there are others who make this lovely Ladakh trip to escape the
humdrums of everyday life and chaos of cities. Yet still, there are those
hungry nature lovers, explorers and adventure travellers who tour to Ladakh to
be one with the pristine, picture perfect nature.

While
Ladakh adventure can come in many forms, the most popular is trekking in
Ladakh. The best season for Ladakh trekking expeditions generally begins from
June and runs until the end of October. While the major challenge faced by the
trekkers is the unpredictable snowfalls and chilly Himalayan breezes, this hasn’t
discouraged the enthusiasts from trekking in Ladakh. Be equipped with the
essentials like anorak, pullovers, strong rubber shoes with gripping soles,
woolly socks, sleeping bag, flash light with enough batteries, eye gears, water
cantor, waterproof tent and rucksack and you are all set for Ladakh trekking.

There
are several routes for trekking in Ladakh. However, it is always best to
consult a competent Ladakh travel agency who can easily guide to your best
Ladakh trekking route as well as take care of all the trekking arrangements right
from camping gears, portage, food and permissions.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Leh tourism remains incomplete without a visit to the awe-inspiringly beautiful Nubra Valley. As you battle past the highest motorable road in the world, the Khardung La and move beyond, you are greeted by a flat fertile region that lies shimmering in the lap of the majestic Himalayas. Criss-crossed by the Nubra and Shyok river channels lays the fabled Valley of Flowers, the Nubra Valley.

At the first sight, Nubra Valley Ladakh presents before you a living image of a parched, dry land. But this, my friends, is one of the most fertile valleys you will discover in your Leh Ladakh tour package. The valley is home to apple orchards and farms of barley, orange berries and apricots. The Nubra Valley is dotted with numerous ancient gompas.

On your journey, you will also discover that the Nubra Valley is a lovely home to quaint hamlets and ruined palaces, which will make your Nubra Valley trekking an experience to recollect for the best of reasons. However, the attractions of Nubra Valley Ladakh doesn’t cease there. You haven’t seen much of this heavenly valley if you haven’t spotted the Bactrian camels.

One of the best attractions of the Nubra Valley and undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful experiences of your Ladakh tour package will be to witness double humped furry Bactrian camels. Watching a train of these beautiful camels ascent up the slopes at more than 10, 000 feet, on the white sand dunes, is a treat to behold.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

On your Ladakhtour, one of the places that you must visit is the Pangong Lake or Pangong Tso
(as it is locally known). Distanced some 160 km from Leh, atop the Changla Pass
(5475 meters), the Pangong Lake shimmers in its tranquil turquoise glory at a
height of 4218 meters above the sea level. The Pangong happens to be the
largest brackish lake in all of Asia stretching up to 700 square km. A major
portion of this lake in Lehis shared by Tibet and China too.

One interesting
thing about the Pangong in north east of Leh is that, it not a fresh water lake
as you would have guessed. Rather, it’s a salt water lake. The first place where
one gets to halt enroute to the Pangong Lake is the quaint little village of
Thiksey which is known for its large monasteries that dot the entire mountain
range. As you move beyond this village, you will be greeted by steep mountains.
The second place where you usually get to halt on your way to Pangong is the Changla Pass
(17,350 ft.).

The placid Pangong Lake of Leh is not just a
paradise for the nature travellers for but also for the geologists with its magnificent
rock formations in the mountains. The Mahe marshes around the lake on the other
hand, are a treasure for the bird watchers as it abounds in the migratory Black
Necked Siberian crane during their breeding season. Summer-time becomes the
ideal season for the Brahmini ducks and Bar-headed goose to make the Pangong their
temporary home. Other notable species of wildlife that can be spotted in this
beautiful region of Leh include kiang and Marmot.

The best season to visit the Pangong Tso in
Leh is from May to September. This lake in Leh was made hugely popular all over
the globe after being filmed in the blockbuster Bollywood movie of 2010 called “3
Idiots” starred by Amir Khan. So, on your tour to Ladakh, this is one place
which you must visit.

Monday, May 21, 2012

If
you are travelling to Ladakh for the sake of climbing its gorgeous peaks, then
head to this land of stark beauty in the perfect time. The best season for the
climbers in Leh-Ladakh is from mid-May to mid-October. Ideally, it is from June
to September that Ladakh plays up as a true paradise for the climbers as the
season keeps the Monsoons at bay.

Ladakh
no doubt, is the most idyllic abode for adventure travellers and a true havenfor mountaineers. But you could always do away with some tips at hand so that
you don’t find yourself unprepared amidst these tough snowy peaks. Firstly, it
is important that you get a clear picture of the climbing route imprinted in
your mind and of course, keep a map to guide you all along the mountain route
you have planned to scale.

It
goes without saying that Ladakh travel in the mountains in no child’s play and so
be sure to check the quality of your slings, ropes and harness before you
venture out for your climbing expedition in the Himalayas. Protective clothing
in the biting cold of Ladakh mountains is a must and stronger the soles of your
shoes, the smoother your journey. Lastly, special first aid kit is a must carry
for every climber in the mountains of Ladakh. Remember, our shoulders, elbows
and fingers are the most vulnerable to injury. So, have a wild adventure in the
lap of the majestic Himalayas yet remain safe to the best extent possible!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

If
you get that hot rush of adrenaline every time you think of mountains and
snowcapped peaks, then travel to Ladakh. Ladakh with its stark blue sky, placid
turquoise water bodies and rocky Himalayan desert is sure a destination of
dreams for all climbers, young and old. Daring enough if you are, then heed
this call of the Himalayas in the picturesque lap of Leh-Ladakh and experience
super thrill and magical beauty amalgamate in their fullest glory.

In
my last blog on Climbing the Mountains of Ladakh, I have already enlisted the
best places to begin your climbing expedition in Leh-Ladakh. But before you can
climb these challengingly seductive Himalayan peaks, obtaining permission from
the Indian Mountaineering Foundation is a pre-requisite.

You
will be required to pay a booking fee for the peak you choose. But then again,
keep in mind that the fee is charged based on the popularity and the height of
a peak. Your climbing team will then be assigned a Liaison Officer t to
accompany and guide you all through.

Remember,
you need to book well ahead of time if you are serious about scaling these
Himalayan heights. Climbers book years in advance when they are passionate about
conquering the mountains of Ladakh. Then of course, the application processing
may take longer than six months. Each authorized expedition to the Ladakh Himalayan
Mountains comes complete with rescue coverage for illness and accidents.